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The Day I Nearly Burnt Down a Hostel
It was as stupid as it sounds
It is safe to say I have done some silly things in my time. From blowing up a bicycle innertube to leaving the shower on in my hotel room as a kid. The last story is particularly funny when I returned later that evening. As my Aunty opened up the door, she was greeted by a thick wall of mist. I couldn’t see the shock in her eyes as her glasses had steamed almost instantly.
On one occasion, I attempted to make a hot chocolate in the silly hours of the morning, thinking it would be a good idea to heat up the milk in a kettle. Panicking, I moped up the milk and put the kettle back as though nothing had happened. Mum wasn’t best pleased when she flooded the kitchen and couldn’t make a cup of tea.
Although these antics were ridiculous, they paled in comparison to the day I nearly burnt down a hostel.
This incident took place in 2009 on my first solo backpacking trip around Europe. I had managed to find myself in Skopje, the capital city of Macedonia. I remember the date well because Tottenham Hotspur destroyed Wigan Athletic by nine goals to one. Despite a warm October in Europe, November was rather chilly.
There were hardly any other travellers staying in the hostel and not much to do around the city. Locals warned me to have my wits…
